The National Association of Home Builders is urging its members and all residential construction companies to halt work for at least 10 minutes for a COVID-19 related stand down on Thursday, April 16. Those 10 minutes should be used to educate workers on what they should do to keep themselves safe from the virus, it says.
"The Department of Homeland Security recently designated construction of single-family and multifamily housing as an 'Essential Infrastructure Business,' allowing construction to continue in places under stay-at-home orders," reads a release. "Although this designation is not binding on state and local governments, it does mean that there could be more workers on construction sites in the coming weeks.
"As part of the safety stand down, members are being asked to pause all work for at least 10 minutes to relay coronavirus safety precautions, such as maintaining a distance of no less than six feet with others at all times, cleaning and sanitizing frequently used tools, equipment, and frequently touched surfaces on a regular basis and ensuring the proper sanitation of common surfaces and equipment. The safety information can also be distributed digitally (through email and/or text)."
The NAHB has developed a comprehensive Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction that outlines the steps every employer and employee should take to reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of COVID-19. It describes how to prevent worker exposure to coronavirus, protective measures to be taken on the job site, personal protective equipment and work practice controls to be used, cleaning and disinfecting procedures and what to do if a worker becomes sick.
NAHB and industry partners also have created a quick-reference job site checklist for employers and employees and a job site safety poster — available in English and Spanish — that can be distributed throughout the workplace.
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